Week-In-Reviews

Every Monday morning we turn in a "Week-In-Review". It is one of our assignments while we are up here. They serve as a sort of journal for us, and at the end of the year all of our own week-in-reviews will be compiled and given to us as a journal reminder of what God has done in our lives throughout the year. Mine vary from week to week, some being boring, others somewhat comical (at least to me), and others rather serious... So I thought that for my next couple posts I would share a few of my week-in-reviews with you all, bearing a little soul, hopefully giving you a little glimpse of me, however embarassing that could be in my part haha. Oh yea and a few of us decided to put at least one song lyric in each review, see if you end up seeing them :) We'll start with the most recent one written, the week before Christmas break, WIR 14...

"Final week before Christmas break, and I finally started to feel a bit more adjusted to being back, go figure. This week Rich was our speaker. The man who was supposed to come was actually one of the men who helped translate the NIV Bible, however I do believe that it was in God’s best timing and judgment that the speaker canceled, leaving Rich as our speaker. I really enjoy Rich in the setting of speaking, and if God ever does call him to be a pastor of a church, I believe he will do a fantastic job. Anyways, Rich went through the book of Romans (chapters 6-8 to be specific). The background of the book, the time period, the Roman empire, the trade and travel that “all roads lead to Rome”, Nero as king, the church that had started there, and everything in between, really making the book and the words of Paul come alive. Come to think of it I want to study that book in my quite time now. Through and through his message, Rich preached the simple gospel to us once again, and it was so refreshing to hear. We hear so much information on different theological points, and debatable issues such as “pre-destination vs. free will” and “are we living in the end times”, that we (well at least I) needed to be reminded of the gospel. That Christ HUMBLED Himself down to being man, walked in perfect communion with God, was crucified, dying arguably the worst death ever, and then conquered death by raising Himself from the dead. This is what the truth comes down to. Do I really believe this message or not; do I think that it is not possible for this to happen, or is God big enough to accomplish this task? I have to admit I have doubts, but when I am in God’s presence and letting my heart’s cares, worries, and concerns lay truthfully before Him, He never fails to comfort. Sometimes, well a lot of times, I find myself relating to “doubting Thomas”. I am such a concrete type person that I say I would believe only if I was there and I saw it, but I know that this is not possible, and I know that there is more than enough evidence for me to believe. Just looking at the world around me I know I have to believe, this creation is just too amazingly perfect to be of anything other than God Himself. But creation doesn’t speak alone, there was something that happened 2,000 years ago that has not died out, that changed so dramatically how people lived, that it has to make an impact on my life. As I was laying in bed last night (the week after this week in review) I was telling God that my worst fear is that I will die and when I get to heaven He will say to me, “depart from me, I never knew you”. However scary that fear is, it is such a good and humbling place to be in; that fear is what I would call the fear of the Lord. Only He has the power to say that to me, but I have to rest assured that His grace is sufficient for me, that nothing I could do or not do can make Him love me more or love me less. This is the gospel, that what we cannot do on our own, Jesus has done for us. I know the truth, I desire more and more everyday to be in communion with Him, even when I am tired and don’t “feel” like studying, Jesus loves me. When I am doing devotions in the morning, Jesus loves me. When I screw up, when I hurt someone or hurt myself, Jesus loves me. Jesus loves me this I know. This truth should speak wonders into how my life is played out day to day. Other than this, most of the trivial things of my week I would rather just leave out of this week-in-review.

Thing to remember from the week: I heard it said that 'we need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily'. What would my life look like if I did?"